Tenderloin Health, which provides care to the San Francisco neighborhood's homeless and poor residents at risk of acquiring HIV or AIDS, will close due to financial problems, the center's board of directors announced Thursday.

Existing debt, the poor economy and the loss of federal funds led to the decision to close, said David Fernandez, the chief executive officer of Tenderloin Health since 2009.

The organization serves about 250 patients in its medical clinic, 500 dental patients, 750 housing clients and 1,400 people needing prevention and testing services each year. Services are provided at 255 Golden Gate Ave., which the center owns, and a leased property on the same street.

Fernandez said he expects Tenderloin Health to close within months, but not before new providers are found for the existing clients. "The whole goal of this transition plan is to make sure there's no interruption in their service," he said.